How fear of missing out influence social networking site addiction among Chinese college students? The multiple mediating roles of basic psychological needs and imaginary audience

Abstract Background: The proliferation and advancement of social networking platforms have facilitated interpersonal connections, yet they also have an impact on our physical and mental health. Previous studies have investigated that fear of missing out (FoMO) is positively related to social networking site (SNS) addiction, but the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Purposes: the present study newly introduces the concept of imaginary audience together with the factor of basic psychological needs (BPNs), to explore the mediating role of them between fear of missing out and SNS addiction that rooted in both the basis of Self-Determination Theory and Use and Gratification Theory. Methods: In the study, Fear of Missing out Scale, Basic Psychology Needs Scale, Imaginary Audience Ideation Scale, and Social Networking Site Intrusion Scale (WeChat version) were used to investigate 1682 college students (Mage= 19.86 years, SD = 1.70) in Fujian, a province of China. The demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, online duration of participates) were controlled as covariates for conservative predictions. Results: (a) FoMO is positively correlated with SNS addiction; (b) BPNs and imaginary audience play a parallel mediator between FoMO and SNS addiction; (c) BPNs and imaginary audience play a serial mediator between FoMO and SNS addiction. Conclusion: Current study highlights the importance of BPNs and imaginary audience as mediators of the relationship between FOMO and SNS addiction. Moreover, the current study provides theoretical guidance about the development of intervention programs for social network addiction in future.